Osteoporosis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Osteoporosis Overview
- Osteoporosis Causes
- Osteoporosis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Osteoporosis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Osteoporosis - Slideshow

- Viewer Comments: Osteoporosis - Symptoms at Onset of Disease
Osteoporosis Symptoms
Early in the course of the disease, osteoporosis may cause no symptoms. Later, it may cause dull pain in the bones or muscles, particularly low back pain or neck pain.
Later in the course of the disease, sharp pains may come on suddenly. The pain may not radiate (spread to other areas); it may be made worse by activity that puts weight on the area, may be accompanied by tenderness, and generally begins to subside in one week. Pain may linger more than three months.
People with osteoporosis may not even recall a fall or other trauma that might cause a broken bone, such as in the spine or foot. Spinal compression fractures may result in loss of height with a stooped posture (called a dowager's hump).
Fractures at other sites, commonly the hip or bones of the wrist, usually result from a fall.
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Osteoporosis - Symptoms at Onset of Disease
The symptoms of osteoporosis can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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Osteoporosis »
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bony microarchitecture.
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